Are you where you want to be in your career?

[AbsentmindedWoman]

How did you get there if you are - was it straightforward? Or has there been a turn in the road that surprised you, but ultimately worked out well?

If you're not, what are your plans to try to get where you want to be?

I'm not. Confidence is on the low side now, and trying to work up the motivation to formulate a plan. But I feel rather useless and incompetent, so it's hard going!

I'm where I want to be right now. It's an experienced middle level role, where I'm senior/specialist enough to be able to pick & choose in terms of flexible working and have the balance I want with my family, but not senior enough to be shouldering a huge responsibility/leading a big team.

I got here through patience and not being in a rush. My boss is younger than me but infinitely more stressed - by taking time to get here, I am experienced and can do the job well without it being a big stress.

Long term I'm hoping one day to move up the ladder a rung, but I'm happy to take longer than some to get there and be absolutely ready to do the job and do it well when I get there. I am not as am ambitious as some - I don't want or expect to reach the upper levels of my field because I don't want to put my work before everything in my life, and that's ok.

I am. I studied and worked very hard while the dc were young (but always around their needs). I was very selective and strategic about my job moves and preparing for interviews. I value skill building and job satisfaction over promotion and pay.

I have a job I didn't envision ever having, and got it through sheer hard work. I have upset many of those who didn't work as hard as me by getting where I am, and the last year has been challenging to the utmost. I'm flat out overworked (thanks Covid) but my efforts don't go unnoticed by my superiors. I'd love to be more efficient, less behind, and on a daily basis less overwhelmed, but I have job security (as best as anyone can) and enough money to do whatever I want. I do however wish I had more time, which of course is something money can't buy.

What would help you get where you want to be OP? Training, specific experience, better networking? Knowing what you need to do is half the battle!